Undergraduate Program

Sport Coaching Education

The Bachelor of Science in Sport Coaching Education offers professional preparation to those who aspire to teach and coach at the middle school, junior high school, and senior high school educational levels.

Preparation includes courses in:

• first aid and injury care/prevention,
• administration,
• strength training and conditioning,
• sport pedagogy,
• sport-specific coaching techniques,
• sport psychology,
• sport law,
• kinesiology,
• biomechanics, and a
• sport coaching practicum.

 Typical Job Titles: Coaches normally occupy positions as either head or assistant coaches. All coaches must have a state teacher licensure and be certified to teach in a recognized curriculum subject area at the educational level desired.

 Typical Job Responsibilities: Most coaching responsibilities include duties in more than one sport season. In addition, coaches frequently work in strength training and conditioning, facility management, equipment maintenance, fund-raising, and academic counseling. Typical coaching duties begin in practice sessions before or after school, or during an athletic period during the normal school day. Games and practices usually involve after-school and weekend hours.

 Market Outlook: The state of Mississippi is experiencing a statewide shortage of teachers and coaches. It is predicted that, on an annual basis, over 400 teaching positions and over 200 coaching positions will go unfilled by certified teachers and coaches.

This shortage makes the market for certified teachers with professional coaching credentials and/or training excellent. Also, many schools in Mississippi are adding sports, such as volleyball and fast pitch softball, to their curriculum.

Salary Ranges : Coaches are usually paid a stipend in addition to their teaching contract. Stipends vary according to the sport, whether the coach is a head or assistant, and the experience level of the individual. Head coaches may earn a stipend of $3,500-$6,000 or more per sport season. Assistant coaches may earn $1,000-$3,000 per sport season.

The amount of time and effort involved in coaching extends well beyond the limits of monetary compensation. Economic incentives should not be the primary incentive for students entering the vocational field of coaching. Benefits accrue to those with a strong desire to work with young people in a profession that is competitive and challenging.

The satisfaction of seeing young athletes mature and improve in the performance of sport skills, work toward the achievement of personal and team goals, and develop such lifelong habits as commitment to a strong work ethic, teamwork, sportsmanship, fitness, and self-discipline is extremely rewarding.

Placement of Graduates: Currently, USM graduates serve as head coaches at Stone County , Lumberton , Petal, Columbia , Vancleave, Bay St. Louis, Lucedale, and Laurel school districts. USM graduates are also assistant coaches at Nichols State , Central Florida, USM, and many junior colleges throughout the state of Mississippi .

University Core (38 hours):

Written and Oral Communication (9 hours)

• ENG 101
• ENG 102
• Senior CapstoneGlGlo

Global History and Culture (12 hours)

• HIS 101
• HIS 102
• ENG 203
• ANT 101 or GHY 101 or SOC 101

Aesthetic Values (3 hours)

ART 130 or
DAN 130 or
MUS 365 or
THE 100

Basic Science and Mathematics (11 hours)

Two approved lab sciences and MAT 101

Decision-Making and Responsibility (3 hours)

COH 100 or
COH 101 or
ECO 101 or
PHI 171 or
PS 101 or
PSY 110

HPR Program Core (35 hours):

• HPR 204 Introduction to Sport Coaching (3 hrs)
• HPR 217 First Aid (3 hrs)
• HPR 301/L Kinesiology with Lab (3 hrs)
• HPR 307 Organization and Administration of Sport Programs (3 hrs)
• HPR 370 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (3 hrs)
• HPR 409 Sport and Exercise Psychology (3 hrs)
• HPR 419 Practicum (6 hrs)
• HPR 423/L Biomechanics with Lab (3 hrs)
• HPR 468 Sport Law (3 hrs)
• HPR 470 Strength and Conditioning (3 hrs)

Other Required Courses (22 hours):

• Four HPR sport-specific coaching methodology courses (12 hours)
• ENG 333 Technical Writing
• SCM 111 Public Speaking
• BSC 250/L Anatomy and Physiology with lab

Electives (29 hours):

Any 29 hours of classes approved by the student's advisor which may include minor, emphasis, or dual major courses.